For me, the 4th of July has another meaning. It's the day my Daddy went home to be with the Lord. It's been 30 years and there's not a day I don't think of him. It hurt so much to lose him when I did. Now,I only think of it as the day he truly gained his "Independence". Every daughter should be as lucky as I was to have the kind of father he was. He put everyone else first and never complained about anything....was the perfect example of how a parent should raise a child. I never heard any inappropriate language come from his mouth, he never talked about anyone else and dearly loved not only my brother and I, but cherished our Mother. Here's a cute analogy of our Fathers...the author is anonymous

4 years: My Daddy can do anything!
7 years: My Dad knows a lot…a whole lot.
8 years: My father does not know quite everything.
12 years: Oh well, naturally Father does not know that either.
14 years: Oh, Father? He is hopelessly old-fashioned.
21 years: Oh, that man-he is out of date!
25 years: He knows a little bit about it, but not much.
30 years: I must find out what Dad thinks about it.
35 years: Before we decide, we will get Dad's idea first.
50 years: What would Dad have thought about that?
60 years: My Dad knew literally everything!
65 years: I wish I could talk it over with Dad once more.

I don't worry about him only mourn my loss...He's walking with The Master...how could anyone complain about that.... Love you Daddy, always will.

* Thank you Ellynanne from Apron Memories for finding this keeper.